Updated
Updated · Arizona's Family · Jul 9
Arizona Supreme Court Orders Maricopa County to Adopt 12-Point Election Plan
Updated
Updated · Arizona's Family · Jul 9

Arizona Supreme Court Orders Maricopa County to Adopt 12-Point Election Plan

3 articles · Updated · Arizona's Family · Jul 9

Summary

  • The court ordered Maricopa County to implement Recorder Justin Heap’s 12-point election authority plan, handing him a win in his fight with the Board of Supervisors as the primary is already underway.
  • Heap sued after the board allegedly stripped powers including access to IT staff and control of ballot drop boxes; the justices acknowledged the Purcell Principle but ruled for him anyway.
  • A settlement reached after 10 hours of mediation the day before the ruling was overtaken when the order arrived, and election attorney Tom Ryan said Heap will likely try to exit that deal.
  • Heap said his office is ready to act, while the board plans to discuss next steps Thursday; former Recorder Helen Purcell said she does not expect the primary to be affected.

Insights

Why did the court overrule a settlement reached just hours before its decision on Maricopa County's election plan?
How will Maricopa County secure election systems now that authority is split between two feuding county offices?
How will this ruling avoid the voter confusion the Purcell Principle was originally designed to prevent?